Comparison of two methods for determination of magnesium concentration of mononuclear blood cells

We describe and compare two methods for the determination of magnesium concentration in lymphocytes from cell cultures. The magnesium concentration of lymphocytes was 36 +/- 4 mmol/kg dry weight by atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis and 39 +/- 19 mmol/kg dry weight with electron probe X-ray microanalysis. We found no significant difference between the results for the two methods. The coefficient of variation was 30% for magnesium concentration among individual cells with electron probe X-ray microanalysis.